The Salvation Army: International Women's Ministries Annual Report 2015

Around the World

INTRODUCTION Women’s Ministries is an integral part of the mission of the international Salvation Army.

We endeavour to focus on the mission of Women’s Ministries, which is to: • bring women into the knowledge of Jesus Christ; • encourage their full potential in influencing family, friends and community; • equip them for growth in personal understanding and life skills; • address issues which affect particularly women and their families in the world.

Membership and attendance have increased in a number of territories. This is proof that women want to have that strong feeling of belonging and acceptance. The outcome of providing programmes that are relevant, inspiring, educational and spiritual is evident in the overall statistical records that indicate that women are finding a welcome at our Salvation Army women’s ministries programmes and events.

While statistics don’t always reflect the complete picture of all that is happening, they do give an excellent reflection of the growth and strength of this significant ministry.

Everyone has As the 2015 worked hard to annual reports provide statistics have arrived from that are more all parts of the accurate and Salvation Army realistic in the world, we 2015 report. celebrate that our mission is in Women’s action on the Ministries is a front lines as powerful leading women’s force and we give ministries reach all glory and out with the love Worldwide Women’s Ministries Membership 2011-2015 praise to God for and compassion the great things he has done! of Christ to women of all ages, their families and their communities.

Much is being accomplished in and through the strong name of Jesus.

MEMBERSHIP & ATTENDANCES There are countless reasons for us to celebrate the many women and young girls who are connected to Women’s Ministries groups in all parts of our Salvation Army world.

Total Women's Ministries Membership

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Africa

298,666

304,056

327,917

393,682

415,438

Americas & Caribbean

84,700

87,418

91,850

89,232

96,149

Europe

76,347

73,919

78,200

72,837

67,638

South Asia

104,799

103,034

109,941

113,961

113,702

South Pacific and 58,167 East Asia

60,100

60,649

64,738

52,148

TOTALS

628,527

668,557

734,450

745,075

622,679

Left: 2015 membership; Top: total membership 2011-15 Below: Zonal membership growth 2011-15 Africa

SPIRITUAL RESULTS

Americas Europe

One of the strengths of Women’s Ministries is found in the emphasis placed on the outcome focus on spiritual results as they unashamedly share the gospel message of transformation and freedom in Jesus in all of their programmes and events.

S Asia SPEA

450,000 400,000

Africa

350,000 Americas &Caribbean

300,000 250,000

Europe

200,000 150,000

South Asia

100,000 South Pacific and East Asia

50,000 0 2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

As a result of women meeting together in spiritual meetings, retreats, conferences, rallies, camp meetings, women’s weekends and Bible studies they are exposed to God’s Word and readily respond to the invitation to seek Jesus and to follow him in wholehearted commitment.

Attendance Total - By Zone 6000000

5000000

4000000

3000000

2000000

1000000

0 2011 Africa

2012 Americas and the Caribbean

2013 Europe

2014 South Asia

2015

South Pacific and East Asia

Attendance All Other Groups - By Zone 3500000 3000000 2500000 2000000 1500000 1000000 500000 0 2011 Africa

2012 Americas and the Caribbean

2013 Europe

2014 South Asia

2015

South Pacific and East Asia

ZONES

Seekers all who come forward to pray

First time decisions for Christ

New families

New adherents

New soldiers

New young people linked to the corps (through Women's Ministries)

Africa

91,800

11490

12,145

2,378

6,643

10,805

Americas and the Caribbean

42,040

2414

4,158

1,989

863

977

2,555

393

179

95

36

117

18,063

2170

874

773

1,901

3,018

2,442

861

3,152

230

780

2,171

156,900

17,328

20,508

5,465

10,223

17,088

Europe South Asia South Pacific and East Asia TOTALS

100000 90000 80000 70000 Africa

60000

Americas and the Caribbean

50000

Europe

40000

South Asia

30000

South Pacific and East Asia

20000 10000 0 2011

2012

Top: Seekers 2015, by Zone Above: Seekers, growth 2011-2015

2013

2014

2015

PROGRAMME

PROJECTS

We are meeting the needs and interest of women and young girls and we give thanks to God for his hand of blessing on the wide variety of programmes and events that are reaching out to women of all ages. We celebrate that the Home League is very strong and still growing in a number of countries, while in other places focus groups and monthly women's events are attracting women of all ages, cultures and religions.

The heartbeat of Women’s Ministries around the world in the area of projects is outstanding. The amount of time given, the monies raised, the compassion of meeting needs, and the joy of those who receive cannot be measured or recorded. Women are passionate about supporting those who are in need no matter what part of the world they live in.

The variety of Women’s Ministries focus groups and programmes are amazing and countless. There is a deliberate intention to continue to build on the fourfold aims (or pillars) of Women’s Ministries and the programmes and focus groups reflect the qualities of Education, Service, Fellowship and Worship.

There is a positive trend happening among our younger women as they search for meaningful connections, friendships and fellowship.

Younger women’s groups are springing up throughout the international Salvation Army that are particularly focused on life skills, educational programmes, social justice issues and Bible studies as they search for a solid foundation to build their lives upon so they can make a difference in the world. Younger working women find it difficult to commit to weekly programmes but are attracted to focus groups and events that will fit their interest and their busy schedules.

Even those who live in the poorest areas of the world see the needs of those around them.

They give of their time to fundraise, giving from the little they possess so that others might have a better quality of life. Different kinds of creative fundraising schemes are taking place in all places such as: Helping Hand, rice collection, handicrafts, ‘least coin’, thrift clubs, charity shop income and walking/ running events. The amount raised in 2015 for projects totals US$2,617,829.

As a result of the faithful work in the raising of funds for projects, schools have been supported, hospitals helped, children and families in refugee camps have been ministered to, food and clothing distributed, needs at children’s homes have been met, washing machines and play equipment for training colleges have been provided; funds have also been used for development of women’s ministries, to name a few.

CHALLENGES Every territory/command/region presented their challenges and this helps us to support, pray for and encourage our leaders. There are some common challenges that run like a thread through all Women’s Ministries throughout the world. It is very inspiring to see how some places have turned their challenges into projected goals for 2016.

Challenges include: economic conditions, natural disasters, man-made disasters, wars, tribal clashes, ethnic violence, sickness, death and poverty, human trafficking, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, sexual harassment, child brides, child marriages, self-esteem, corps conflicts, lack of funds, financial viability, leadership, attracting younger women, poor reporting, anti-Christian elements, geographical distances for travelling and building bridges to welcome new people into the corps family.

WEBSITES

The challenge with the recording of statistics appears at the top of the list this year. With the continued monitoring and adapting of the new system, there is hope that it will give us a better grasp on our statistical reporting especially as we approach the 2016 report.

Statistics are definitely important to help us have a panoramic view of the trends around the world in critical areas of our work. It challenges us to focus on areas of decline as well as celebrate areas of growth and strength.

A growing number of territorial websites that freely share Women’s Ministries materials, stories and events, are now available to everyone around the world. Materials are free to take and use at one’s choosing.Connections to some of these can be found through the international Women’s Ministries webpage www.salvationarmy.org/womensministries or through individual territorial websites where you can pull them up through the internet.

And, in addition to websites, there are Facebook connections that are shared from around the world.

The Salvation Army’s international women’s ministries publication – Revive magazine – is available through mail-order subscription and is also online via the international Women’s Ministries website or at sar.my/revive.

WOMEN’S RALLIES, CAMPS, WEEKENDS, SEMINARS & CONFERENCES The attendance at these special events are presently at an all-time ‘high’ in all parts of our Salvation Army world. Reporting shows that these events are filled to capacity with often a waiting list should there be any cancellations. These events have become the ‘heartbeat’ of Women’s Ministries.

The themes, creativity planning, preparation and prayers that go into these events are commendable and extremely motivating. The spiritual outcomes from these events are overwhelming and inspiring.

Most territories/commands/regions are engaged in leadership development and specific training for women officers and women leaders which will be a significant investment in the present and future of The Salvation Army’s mission and ministries.

We need to celebrate our women’s ministries around the world with confidence because as women leaders are faithful to God’s mission in the world, God is providing resiliency, courage, wisdom and his Holy Spirit to achieve much more than we can ever think or imagine.

The stories in the reports have demonstrated that many women and families have found a safe place of refuge at the Salvation Army Women’s Ministries gatherings and lives are being transformed as women feel accepted, loved, valued and connected not only to each other but to Jesus who provides life and wholeness to all who come to him in faith.

How we thank God for women whose hearts are filled with passion, love and grace and who, with the compassion of Christ reach out to help other women to be all that God has created them to be. We salute their dedicated service to God and to The Salvation Army in this significant and energising ministry.

God bless you!

have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.�

“I

Ephesians 1:16-21 (NIV)